Boasting a mild climate, rugged mountains, deep barrancos (ravines), lush laurel and pine forests, and some of the most epic lookout points and sunset spots on the planet – it seems that God had hiking in mind when he created Gran Canaria. There are dozens of fantastic trails dotted right across the third largest Canary Island but not everyone will have the time to complete them all. This is why we have put together a guide on the five best hikes in Gran Canaria that every traveler will love.

Five very different hikes will give visitors a taste of Gran Canaria’s incredible landscapes. These adventures combine perfectly with rest days in the villages or at the beach. Travelers can expect well-marked trails, easy to follow signs and non-technical climbs. Even if you don’t consider yourself an avid hiker, at least one of the walks will tickle your fancy. Most are leisurely and won’t eat up too much of your time – plus there is always the option to see the same places on shortened versions with us at Epic Tours.

We offer private photography experiences that take you into the heart of Gran Canaria’s nature and culture. With a flexible itinerary that is fully customizable to your needs and desires, you can add on as many hikes as you like from our list of recommendations. Even better, after finishing each tour, you will receive 50+ high resolution photos to take home. Having your own photographer for the day while hiking means you can focus on the surroundings, rather than trying to take awkward selfies along the way!

5 Best Hikes in Gran Canaria

1. Roque Nublo Hike

Perhaps the most popular hike in all of Gran Canaria is Roque Nublo. This 3.1 kilometer out-and-back trail takes an average of an hour and 10 minutes one way – making for a three or four hour journey in total when you include stops and time needed for taking photos. The terrain is considered easy/moderate as you stroll through pine forests, ancient lava formations, and barren upper plateaus where Roque Nublo and Roque de la Rana are situated. Only 155 meters of elevation gain is required.

The best destination to base yourself for the Roque Nublo Hike is Tejeda. This Canarian village is awash with charm, as it’s perched in the mountains with white-washed buildings lining the streets. From there, you need to drive to the Degollada de la Goleta car park (about a 30 minute drive more or less) where the trailhead begins. In general, the hiking path is in tip-top condition apart from the odd loose rock that stumbles onto the route. Just make sure you wear decent hiking or walking shoes.

2. Roque Bentayga Hike

Another extraordinary hiking opportunity from Tejeda is Roque Bentayga. Recognized as a Natural Monument and the gateway to the UNESCO Sacred Mountains, Roque Bentayga is full of natural beauty and spiritual significance. It was revered by aboriginal groups who used it as a fortress and “almogaren”. An almogaren is a place where ritual ceremonies occurred. Specifically, the Bentayga almogaren acted as a sun marker to indicate the autumn equinox for the purpose of planning crops.

The sun would touch a specific rock at a certain time of the year suggesting a season change. All throughout the archaeological site are cave paintings and inscriptions to see. A couple of trails lead to this historic attraction – one being a 14 kilometer hike from Tejeda, and the other traversing 2 kilometers starting at the interpretation center and parking lot. If you are coming from Tejeda – be it by hiking or driving – be sure to stop by the basket at Cuevas Caidas en route. It’s the ultimate Instagram location!

3. Pico de las Nieves Hike

Pico de las Nieves translates to “Snow Peak” and it’s the second highest summit on the island. The out-and-back hike from Degollada de la Cruz Grande is one of the best hikes in Gran Canaria if you are looking for a full day of walking. This 15 kilometer trail takes you to the top of the south-facing viewpoint – the only accessible part of the peak – and involves 950 meters of elevation gain. It follows the Ruta de la Plata until a junction point veers you off onto the trail to Pico de las Nieves.

Everything is well sign-posted along the routes, so you shouldn’t get lost. It’s not a technically challenging hike but the 950 meter ascend/descend is not to be underestimated. Your joints, and knees in particular, will feel the strain when coming down. The lookout at the top, Morro de la Agujereada, stands at 1,956 meters and offers sweeping views of iconic landmarks like Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga and the Tejeda Caldera. You can also drive up to this viewpoint or opt for other hikes around Pico de las Nieves.

4. Barranco de las Vacas Hike

For something entirely different, reminiscent of the American Southwest, the Barranco de las Vacas Hike brings you to a spectacular slot canyon called Tobas de Colores. The tuff rocks here are beautiful and make for a wonderful photo-op. Some of our guests at Epic Tours decided to book a photoshoot at Barranco de las Vacas due to its remarkable color and lighting. If you want to do the same, just remember that the slot canyon is popular and might have crowds – so the earlier you go the better.

Getting to Tobas de Colores can be easily achieved by driving to the carpark at Barranco de las Vacas (plug it into your GPS) and walking into the dried-up riverbed. It takes around 20-30 minutes and passes an old tunnel and bridge, until the cliffs on either side become steadily higher and more red in color. A longer alternative is to hike to the ravine from the nearby town of Aguimes. It may be worth staying overnight in Aguimes to get up early for the trek and to explore the colorful houses there.

5. Los Tilos de Moya Hike

The 2 kilometer loop hike in Los Tilos de Moya is one of the best family friendly hikes in Gran Canaria. Locals love to come to this laurel forest with their kids to get everyone immersed in nature for the day. A nice restaurant also lies at the trailhead called Restaurante Grill Los Tilos. Once you have finished the lovely walk, you can pop inside for a heart-warming Canarian meal such as garbanzada chickpea stew. The trail starts at the restaurant, hugs the road for a while and then transports you into the mountains. The greenery on the second half of the loop is breathtaking.

A laurel forest, like Los Tilos, is typically characterized by evergreen vegetation that thrives in subtropical environments. The mix of precipitation, humidity and sun that occurs in the lush north creates the perfect conditions for this. The town of Moya is the natural access point to the forest and staying overnight is worth it. You can visit the Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Church in Moya as well as tour the Casa-Museo Tomas Morales to get inspired by his poetry. Morales was a famous Canarian poet.

Tips for Hiking in Gran Canaria

Before setting off on one of the best hikes in Gran Canaria, it’s important to prepare yourself properly to ensure your safety and enjoyment on the trails. The first key tip is to know your limits. The majority of the hikes mentioned above can be done by pretty much anyone, regardless of your fitness or hiking experience. Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga, Barranco de las Vacas and Los Tilos de Moya are great for beginners. The only trail which requires some serious exertion is Pico de las Nieves.

You should only attempt this 15 kilometer hike if you are accustomed to long distances and are comfortable with elevation gains close to 1,000 meters. The second consideration is to wear the right clothing and footwear. Mid-summer sun in Gran Canaria can be unforgiving and there is nothing worse than hiking while knowing full well that a painful sunburn or heat stroke awaits you that night. Wearing sun-smart items like a wide brim hat, sunscreen and sunglasses is vital when outdoors.

Bring a day bag and pack a light raincoat just in case the weather turns sour. If you have hiking boots with ankle support that’s great. Although, even a pair of sneakers will suffice for the shorter walks. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars on expensive boots. As a general rule, the trails have good signposting but plan your route in detail nonetheless. Some places are better marked than others. Apart from those things, just enjoy yourself. It’s not everyday that you get to go hiking on a volcanic island!